About Me

12 December 2012

A Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree

My wife, the incredibly talented lyric soprano Ruth Ann Cunningham, and I set out on a search for a Christmas Tree last week for the annual PEO Chapter R Christmas party. Not just any Christmas Tree. A Christmas Tree in the spirit of the one Charlie Brown found in the classic Christmas TV special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Our search took us to a Family Dollar store, where we found a rather humble four foot artificial Christmas Tree, which was purchased. Today, I went to a Walgreens on 2nd Avenue and 70th Street to rent a movie from Redbox. Since the kiosk was in the store's vestibule, I had no need to go inside. Yet, something told me to do so. Once I went inside the door, a startling sight presented itself. There, in all their glory, were boxes of marvelous artificial tree named A Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree, scraggly branches of sparse needles, a single red ornament ball and all. Unable to supress my shock, I broke out in maniacal laughter and promptly purchased this wonderful expression of the true spirit of Christmas for the incredible price of $9.99 (Herman Cain would be proud, according to The Capitol Steps). I brought this wonderful tree home and Ruth Ann and my stupendously intelligent daughter Erin both expressed amazement and joy at this tree, which represents all that is right and true about this holiday that not only celebrates the birth of a great religious figure, but a spirit that is also expessed joyously in the story of "Yes, Virginia." Our Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree is proudly standing on a shelf above the computer I am writing this tale. Long may it do so, bringing joy to us and to the world. May it know the peace and fellowship that Jesus taught us, not the rancor, violence and personal agendas that fundamentalism in any guise would have us believe.